Shane Long and the fastest goals in Europe's top-five leagues
On this day in 2019, Shane Long grabbed a quickfire slice of Premier League history.
The Southampton striker charged down an attempted pass from Craig Cathcart before lobbing Ben Foster to give his side the lead over Watford.
It was officially clocked at 7.69 seconds into the game at Vicarage Road, making it the fastest goal ever scored in a Premier League match.
The previous quickest was scored by Ledley King, who netted for Tottenham after 10 seconds against Bradford City back on December 9, 2000.
But do you know who holds the record for the other top-five leagues in Europe? Well, you do now.
1 - @SouthamptonFC players now hold the record for the fastest ever Premier League goal (Shane Long, 7 seconds) and fastest ever Premier League hat-trick (Sadio Mane vs Aston Villa May 2015, 2m 56s). Blocks. #WATSOU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2019
BUNDESLIGA
DATE: 23/08/2014
PLAYER: Karim Bellarabi
GOAL TIME: 9.32 seconds
GAME: Borussia Dortmund 0-2 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
This goal showed the benefit of a bold approach to kick-off. Leverkusen got the game underway and immediately launched an attack, Sebastian Boenisch played it to Bellarabi, he turned into space and slotted the ball past Mitch Langerak.
Karim Bellarabi's first goal of the 2014/15 season and the quickest in #Bundesliga history #BVBB04 pic.twitter.com/SBc4njOU77
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 23, 2014
LALIGA
DATE: 20/01/2008
PLAYER: Joseba Llorente
GOAL TIME: 7.8 seconds
GAME: REAL VALLADOLID 2-1 Espanyol
The art of the surprise attack. Llorente kicked off with Victor and raced upfield, while his team-mate turned back into his own half and then quickly spun to play a long ball over the Espanyol defence. Llorente kept his cool with a lobbed finish.
Today we remember... Joseba Llorente. The striker of Hondarribia arrived at Valladolid from @SDEibarEN and earned a place on the supporters heart thank to his goals and dedication. He scored 47 goals in three seasons#pucela #EibarRealValladolid pic.twitter.com/60nTM1Pzaj
— Real Valladolid CF EN (@realvalladolidE) March 13, 2019
LIGUE 1
DATE: 15/02/1992
PLAYER: Michel Rio
GOAL TIME: 8 seconds
GAME: CAEN 3-1 Cannes
Rio's record is by far the longest in the top-five European leagues and helped Caen see off Cannes in convincing fashion. Whether he truly meant the inspired first-time finish, volleyed in off the crossbar after a long punt up the pitch, is less clear.
PREMIER LEAGUE
DATE: 23/04/2019
PLAYER: Shane Long
GOAL TIME: 7.69 seconds
GAME: Watford 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON
A start to a match that Cathcart will not want to watch too many times. He dithered on the ball just long enough to see his attempted pass blocked by Long, who held the centre-back at arm's length before clipping a fine finish over Foster. This was, though, the only goal on our list that didn't end up leading to a victory.
Straight to the top
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 23, 2019
Here's who Shane Long surpassed with his record-breaking goal https://t.co/X5FTVPxar4 #PL pic.twitter.com/vpRsVvhruw
SERIE A
DATE: 02/12/2001
PLAYER: Paolo Poggi
GOAL TIME: 8.2 seconds
GAME: Fiorentina 1-3 PIACENZA
A goal born out of some fantastically frantic early pressing, allowing Poggi to race onto a loose ball and slam a powerful finish home from the edge of the Fiorentina box. It was one of only three he scored for Piacenza.